The GIANTS look to recreate history as they travel down the Hume to face the Dogs on Saturday afternoon.
AFLW ROUND 5
GIANTS v Bulldogs
Saturday, September 13 at 4:35pm
Corroborree Group Oval, Manuka | Ngunnawal
What It Means For The GIANTS
Feeling an acute sting after losing their round four match with the Suns, the GIANTS head to Canberra hungrier than ever for their first points of the season.
Baring their teeth in the final quarter and showing what might have been, the GIANTS departed the Gold Coast disappointed, when they were left with too little time to claw back the five-goal deficit opened by the Suns in the third quarter.
The GIANTS led the Suns across the majority of team stats but struggling at stoppages, suffering an imbalance in both hit outs and clearances. The GIANTS will look to rectify reshape their plan on the ball this week.
Struggling to capitalise on opportunities inside 50s, having collected 34 through the match, the GIANTS have refocused this week, going back to the game plan and ensuring they come out of the gates immediately to challenge across all four quarters against the Bulldogs.
The Opposition
Currently sitting middle of the table after a strong win over the Tigers in round two, the Bulldogs have already bettered their start to last year’s season, where they were winless for four games before finishing the season in twelfth.
The Bulldogs will be out for revenge, after being on the losing side of the GIANTS record-breaking win in round one last season.
The GIANTS defeated the Bulldogs 72-9, to register both their highest-ever score and largest winning margin in a historic win.
An inaugural AFLW side, the Bulldogs managed to turn their season around following the loss, to register four wins across the year, an impressive feat for a club in rebuild phase.
The Bulldogs surprised plenty of punters with their efforts in 2024, where they were expected to finish close to the bottom of the ladder and have shown signs of continued improvement through the early stages of the 2025 season.
Strong in centre clearances and around the stoppage through the ruck work of Alice Edmonds and steady in defence, keeping their opposition’s efficiency under 40% across their first four matches, the work rate of former Sun Lauren Ahrens and Britney Gutknecht in the Dogs’ backline has been significant.
Their power room through the midfield, led by three-time All-Australian Ellie Blackburn allows them to compete around the ground. They’ll look to use Blackburn to punish the GIANTS in stoppages.
Key Match Up: Battle Of The Rebounders
A comparison of the GIANTS and the Bulldogs arsenals showcases similar attacking weapons in each team’s halfback line.
Elisabeth Georgostathis has been a consistent performer for the Bulldogs across their first four matches of 2025, touted for her speed out of defence and precision targeting up the field.
A monster right boot and an ability to shirk tackles and breakthrough lines presents an eerie similarity to GIANTS defender Cambridge McCormick.
McCormick’s importance to the GIANTS transition game, built on her dashing run and the strength of her right boot is simialr to the threat that Georgostathis poses with her run and accurate right foot.
Both players will be looking to commence their side’s quick movement forward and use the width of Manuka Oval with overlap on the wings and finding teammates on the opposite 50 arc, given both can hit targets at distance.
GIANTS Player To Watch: Bec Beeson
Going head-to-head in the middle with one of the game’s best-known names in Ellie Blackburn, GIANTS’ captain Bec Beeson will be playing the dual role of looking to steady the ship and lead her players from the front.
Beeson has delivered consistent and courageous performances for her team through their start to the season, playing on through hard and high contacts with bravery on the ball.
With her mids partner Alyce Parker ruled out for at least the regular season, Beeson has shouldered more of the work through the middle, moving from a role as a first option to playing more in stoppages and driving out of contests alongside Zarlie Goldsworthy.
Beeson delivered a rousing, heartfelt address to her troops following the loss to the Suns and boasts a critical ability to both expect and draw more from her players.
The last inaugural GIANT, Beeson will be asking her teammates to step up in intent and efficiency in Canberra against the Bulldogs.
In The Mix
With no additional injuries sustained in round four, Cam Bernasconi has the option to add more height against the Bulldogs with both Fleur Davies and Viv Saad performing strongly at AFLW scrimmage.
Team Selection
The GIANTS will name their team to take on the Bulldogs at 6:20pm on Thursday at gwsgiants.com.au.
Rehab Report
Get a full injury update ahead of Saturday’s match here.
Where To Watch
Saturday’s clash will be shown live and free in NSW and the ACT on Channel 7 and 7plus from 4:30pm, as well as nationally on Fox Sports 3, Kayo and BINGE from 4:30pm.
